AGRIBUSINESS:EU Signals Desire to Move Forward with Trade Talks

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About 10 days ago - a handful of Senators requested a Senate Finance Committee hearing with U.S. trade negotiators so they could better understand efforts with European Union officials. They noted ag trade has been a difficult subject with the EU - and expressed a desire to ensure agriculture is a priority in any trade discussions between the EU and U.S. Just this week - the EU dropped its ban on live pigs and beef washed in lactic acid. The move is reportedly meant to show the Europeans are serious about a free trade deal with the U.S. According to a senior EU diplomat involved in negotiation preparations - the U.S. had certain preconditions for starting talks and the EU wanted to show they could deliver. A spokeswoman for the U.S. said the U.S. was pleased with the move - but did not signal this was enough to clear the way for trade talks to begin. The USTR spokeswoman said these measures - effective February 25th - will help increase exports of U.S. beef and live swine to European customers.